Skate x Fashion Collabs Or Rip Offs? We're Seeing Both.

Tuesday, February 21, 2017

Ben Taverniti "Bones Logo" Pink Satin Jacket

Ben Taverniti "Bones Logo" Sweatshirt

Ben Taverniti "Screaming Hand" sweatshirt

We used to see skateboard companies ripping riffing off fashion brands - does anyone remember the year 2000 when Supreme used the Louis Vuitton logo for all of about 2 weeks until they were hit with a cease and desist letter? They complied very quickly and that was the end of that.

Or how about the time the shoe was on the other foot and fashion designer Jermy Scott stole the iconic Jim Phillips "Screaming Hand" artwork and used it on clothes that walked down his runway during fashion week? That was a pretty bold move that earned them a lawsuit which Jim ended up winning.

These were instances that were far and few in-between. But now that we are seeing a huge interest in skateboarding by the fashion crowd it's happening more and more. But we are also seeing some unlikely collaborations as well.

We're not 100% sure but we are thinking that the Bones logo and the Screaming Hand logo in the photos above may have been "lifted" by designer Ben Taverniti's "Unravel Project". They are selling out quick at Barneys NY - with the pink jacket on pre-order for $1,475 and the oversized distressed black sweatshirt and gray "screaming hand" sweatshirt going for a cool $570.

Louis Vuitton X Supreme Collab - launching July 2017

On the flipside iconic skate brand Supreme did a collab with Louis Vuitton that is 100% authentic and above board. Considering that so many fashion people are into Supreme already, it's doubtful that this collab hurts their brand from a core skate standpoint.

Although I highly doubt any skater we know will be buying the "skate box" that comes complete with a board, trucks, wheels and a skate wrench. (Think Louis Vuitton price points here)

Thrasher Hits Back at H&M for using its "Flame Logo"

H&M decided to do their own take on the Thrasher look with a tee that says TRIPPIN with the iconic Thrasher flames, font, and colorway. Thrasher is hitting them hard with a cease and desist, and H&M is battling back. But as always, Thrasher has the final say even on their Instagram post - The "F-Off H&M" was a great parting shot and very typical for our industry.

Supreme x Vans SK8-HI Pro Shoe Collab

Now this one we can totally get behind - two major skate brands coming together to create a retro inspired shoe with the Supreme logo intertwined in the iconic checkerboard pattern. So simple but so rad!

So the question is, is it good for skateboarding's unique style to be appreciated and used by mainstream fashion?

Or does it make us feel that the underground, rebel feel we have had all these years is losing its mystique?